There was a large fountain in the center of the plaza in front of the north wing of the Treasury building until 1947 when a statue of former Treasury Secretary Albert Gallatin replaced the fountain.
Albert Gallatin was the fourth and longest serving Treasury Secretary of the United States (1801-1814). The statue was created by American sculptor James Earl Frazier who also sculpted the Alexander Hamilton statue on the south plaza.
Before there was a statue honoring Secretary Albert Gallatin, the north plaza of the Treasury building had a large ornamental fountain at the entrance to the building.
The north plaza fountain and arrival of guests depicted in this 19th century engraving on the evening of the Inaugural Ball for President Ulysses S. Grant. The event was held in the lobby and Cash Room of the Treasury building.
Appointed Secretary of the Treasury in 1801 by President Jefferson and continuing under President James Madison until 1814, Gallatin was in office nearly thirteen years, the longest term of any Secretary in the Department's history.